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Allergies to cats are no laughing matter; approximately 10% of the U.S. population suffers from pet allergies and cats are at the top of the list. Cat allergies can vary from extreme to mild, depending on the person. If you are one of the people afflicted with cat allergies, but are a cat lover, you do have some options. If your allergies are extreme, you may want to consult your doctor for allergy treatment or look into medically-designed hypoallergenic cats. However, for those who have mild allergies, we’ve compiled a list of cat breeds that are known to be hypoallergenic or that tend to distribute less allergens for a variety of reasons.

Cat allergies are caused by the prevalence of Fel D1, an enzyme in cats’ saliva. When a cat grooms his/herself, they use their tongue and spread Fel D1 all over their fur. This fur is then spread throughout the house. Hypoallergenic cats are cat breeds that either produce less Fel D1 or shed little or not at all. Remember that hypoallergenic does not mean that they are entirely allergen-free; just that they are less likely to set off an allergic person’s allergies.

Our favorite cat breeds for people with allergies are:

1. The Rex Cats: This includes the Devon Rex and the Cornish Rex. Both of these cats have a coat that sets them apart from other cats; they lack guard hairs and are only covered in the fur that lies beneath. Technically, these cats aren’t hypoallergenic, but the lack of guard hairs makes their shedding more tolerable for many people with allergies.

The Cornish Rex’s short fur doesn’t spread like that of cats with guard hairs

2. The Sphynx Cat: The Sphynx cat is hairless, and therefore shedding is no longer an issue with this breed. Sphynx cats still lick and groom themselves, but without fur to shed, the spread of their allergens is much less.3. The Russian Blue: The Russian Blue is hypoallergenic for two main reasons. First of all, their double coat helps to keep in allergens rather than spreading them throughout the house. They also produce less Fel d1, the main property that produces cat allergies.4. The Balinese: The Balinese has long hair and a full coat, but don’t let this deter you. They produce less Fel D1, the main perpetrator of feline allergies.5. The Bengal: Bengals have short, dense fur that doesn’t shed much. They spread less dander and fur around and have been known to spread less allergens than other cats.6. The Javanese: The Javanese is one of only a few breeds that lacks an undercoat, making them shed less. Less shedding means less spreading of allergens

The Siberian may seem unlikely to be hypoallergenic due to their long fur, but they produce little Fel D1

7. The Siberian: Siberian cats have a medium-length coat, which would make many allergy-sufferers hesitant to the breed. However, Siberian cats have been known to have less enzyme levels in their saliva, which is a key source for allergens.8. The Laperm: The Laperm is a curly-haired cat, and many Laperm owners believe that they are hypoallergenic. They have been known to shed less than other breeds, and many people with cat allergies have had little to no reaction to Laperms.9. The Oriental Shorthair: The Oriental Shorthair breed has such short hair that sheds so little that they’ve been one of the most popular cat breed for allergy sufferers.

All of these breeds have been known to produce less allergens for a variety of reasons, but there are some other factors that influence how allergenic a cat will be. When choosing a cat for your household, taking the following factors into consideration may help someone with mild allergies find a cat that doesn’t make their sinuses explode:

Male cats produce more allergens than females: This is another unsolved mystery, but for whatever reason, female cats produce less allergens. If you have mild cat allergies, you may want to adopt a female cat.Neutered males produce less allergens than unfixed males: When a male cat is neutered, his hormones change and he produces less allergens. You should always have your animals spayed and neutered regardless, but especially if you have allergies.Kittens produce less allergens than full-grown cats: You may not be allergic to a kitten, but develop allergies to the same cat once they grow up for this reason. This, among many other reasons, is why adopting an adult cat is a good idea. This way, you will know right off the bat whether or not you are allergic to a particular cat and can avoid having to make the painful decision of what to do with a cat that is causing you terrible allergies.Dark-colored cats produce more allergens than light-colored cats: For whatever reason, lighter-colored cats produce less allergens. So instead of a black or dark orange cat, lean towards a cat that has white as their base color.

Are you a cat-lover dealing with cat allergies? Let us know how you handle them in the comments!

We all want the same thing for our pets; to have a happy and comfortable living situation with a great quality of life. What many pet owners aren’t aware of, however, is that there are simple everyday ways to help keep your cat healthy and happy. It is always better to work on preventative measures ahead of time rather than having to attend to a problem later on. Here, we’re going to help you out with xx simple ways to elongate your cat’s life and keep their health in tip-top shape.

Many people wonder how to tell a cat’s age, and since a cat can’t just up and tell you their birthday, this feat becomes a guessing game for many cat owners. Many times, veterinarians are able to take an educated guess at the age of a cat, but this isn’t necessarily always right. There are a few ways to predict the age of your cat, whether they’re a young kitten or an older cat. Here, we’re going to give you some tips and tricks to figure out the age of your cat, and understanding what you can expect from that age.

Having a cat as a pet is a low-maintenance job, only requiring a few routine practices to keep your furbaby happy and healthy. Between feeding, grooming, taking care of the litter box, and other small tasks that are required of a cat owner, many cat owners forget one of the most important things that they need to do; exercise their kitty! Cats are very close to their wild ancestors, and are therefore built to run, leap, and stalk every day. Did you know that the biggest health problem for domestic cats is obesity? Here, we’re going to discuss some easy and hassle-free ways to introduce more exercise into your feline’s day.

The appetite of a cat ranges greatly from feline-to-feline; you may have a voracious eater, or a picky kitty. Some cat owners feed their furbabies regularly throughout the day, while others only feed their cats when they ask for a meal. Some cats eat whatever’s placed in front of them, while others can leave food mountain and only eat what they need. Regardless of your cat’s appetite, it is important to feed them right. Here, we’re going to talk about what a proper diet looks like for a cat and how you can give your kitty the best diet possible.

As most cat owners know, the furry friends can be quite temperamental. You can tell when your cat is happy, tired, hungry, or feeling feisty pretty easily. However, what many cat owners don’t know is that cats can get depressed. A cat’s depression can come from a variety of sources, and it is important to watch for the signs and symptoms as a cat’s owner. Depression is defined by long periods of sadness or hopelessness, and can happen to a cat at any time. Here, we’re going to talk about the reasons why a cat might be depressed, the symptoms of a sad cat, and how to remedy it.

Many cat owners ponder the decision of whether or not to declaw their cats. You’ve heard all of the rumors; good and bad. Some people believe that declawing a cat is an inhumane act, while others see it as a housekeeping necessity. We’re here to set the record straight and give you all the facts on the ethics of declawing, as well as other ways to make kitty claws be an issue of the past.

Did you know that obesity is one of the main health problems for cats? It is easy for cats to pack on pounds, especially if they’re indoor-only. As you can imagine, this leads to a variety of health ailments for your furry little friend. Although a round cat can be pleasing to the eye, obesity puts cats at risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and many other health ailments. Even the fattest cat can lose weight with the right plan. If your cat is seriously overweight, make sure to consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes. Losing weight at too rapid of a pace can strike up other serious health complications.

Your cat’s nails are an important part of their biology, as their claws are designed to help with hunting, stalking, attacking, cleaning, and eating. When you have a housecat, it is easy to forego trimming their nails, especially if your cat isn’t fond of swiping. However, regardless of how well-behaved your cat is, it is important to keep their nails trimmed and tidy. This prevents your cat from getting caught on fabric and ripping a nail, an injury that could quickly escalate to a more serious medical condition. There are many tactics to make trimming your cat’s nails easier and hassle-free, and we’ve got some great tips lined up for you right here.

Many cat owners are familiar with catip, the stuff that might make your cat bounce off the walls, meow like crazy, or take a long nap. However, many cat owners don’t know exactly what’s happening when they give their furbabies the green substance, or what it is exactly. Here, we’re going to explore everything there is to know about the harmless stuff that makes your cat so crazy.